Let’s be honest — no one gets excited about grease traps. They’re hidden under sinks or out the back, quietly collecting all the fats, oils, and grease (FOG) your kitchen produces. But when they’re ignored? That’s when the real trouble starts.
If you’re a facilities manager for a restaurant, hotel, school, or shopping centre, grease trap maintenance is one of those things that only becomes urgent when it’s already too late. Overflowing traps, terrible smells, blocked drains — sound familiar?
Here’s what you need to know to stay compliant, avoid fines, and keep things flowing (literally).
Why Bother with Grease Trap Compliance?
You might be thinking, “Can’t we just sort it out when something goes wrong?” Short answer: No. Here’s why staying ahead of grease trap maintenance matters.
💸 Avoid Fines & Legal Drama
Municipalities like the City of Cape Town have strict wastewater bylaws. If your business gets caught without a functioning, regularly serviced grease trap, you’re looking at fines, shutdown notices, and possible legal headaches.
🦠 Protect Your People & Reputation
Bad smells coming from the kitchen? Customers or tenants complaining? It could be a full or failing grease trap. These things are breeding grounds for bacteria if left unchecked — and they can tank your reputation fast.
🌍 Be Kind to the Environment
When FOG enters the sewer system, it can cause major blockages and sewage spills, harming rivers, wetlands, and marine life. Regular grease trap cleaning helps prevent this — and shows you take environmental responsibility seriously.
⛔ Minimise Disruption
The last thing any manager wants is an emergency callout on a Saturday night because the grease trap backed up. Routine maintenance = no nasty surprises.
Common Challenges Facilities Managers Face
We get it — you’re juggling a lot. Here are a few things we often see that trip people up:
- No one knows who’s responsible. Especially in shared buildings. Is it the tenant? The landlord? The property manager?
- No service records. If the city inspector arrives and asks for documentation, you’ll need to show a cleaning history.
- That smell. If you’ve got odours wafting out of the kitchen or drains, chances are the trap needs some TLC.
How Drainmen Can Help
We’re not just a cleaning company — we’re your grease trap partner. Drainmen’s been keeping South Africa flowing for years, and we know what facilities managers need: reliability, professionalism, and no fuss.
Here’s what we do:
- Scheduled Cleanings – On your timeline, no chasing or reminding.
- Compliance Reports – We’ll sort out the documentation you need for municipal checks.
- 24/7 Callouts – Got an emergency? We’re already on our way.
- Certified Waste Disposal – We don’t just clean — we transport and dispose of waste safely, the way the law requires.
A Quick Grease Trap Checklist for Facilities Managers
Here’s your cheat sheet for staying compliant:
☑️ Inspect the trap monthly
☑️ Keep every cleaning and service logged
☑️ Train kitchen staff on proper FOG disposal
☑️ Know your local wastewater bylaws
☑️ Partner with a company like Drainmen who knows what they’re doing
Let’s Take the Stress Off Your Plate
If you’re tired of worrying about grease trap compliance or dealing with last-minute blockages, Drainmen is here to help.
Give us a call, book a service, or just ask us to come take a look. We’ll handle the dirty work so you can focus on everything else you’ve got going on.
👉 Contact Drainmen today – and let’s keep your kitchen flowing the way it should.